Granted, their last incursion to south-west Wales had been 29 years ago, but victory in this corner of Glamorgan had thwarted them until Javier Hernández’s strike relieved any lingering tension.

If Saturday night’s win was a historical curiosity, then it was also an immediate imperative: by containing Swansea’s aesthetes, they restricted Manchester City’s advantage at the Premier League summit to a mere five points.

An eight-point gap, even for a team of United’s resourcefulness and even ahead of the congested December schedule, would have seemed ominous.

Here, though, they showed tenacity in abundance, performing that familiar trick of eking out the win when not at their absolute fluent best.

Be in no doubt, Swansea were primed for this visit by the aristocracy. For the club as well as the city, it was a showpiece. To illustrate as much, male-voice choir Only Men Allowed conjured up an ear-splitting atmosphere inside the Liberty with their close-harmony singing.

The stadium announcer had a neat line in provocation, too, welcoming United supporters “wherever you are from.” Pausing for effect, he added: “Bridgend, Neath, Rhondda-”

But there was also a deeper resonance, a sense almost of solidarity, when fellow Busby Babes Kenny Morgans and Sir Bobby Charlton strode out together before kick-off.

Morgans, once of United but later of then Swansea Town, had been, with Charlton, one of the 21 survivors from the Munich air disaster.

As a spectacle, this game tried hard to match the fervour of the preamble. While Sinclair’s devilish movement threatened to unsettle United early, the response was a masterpiece of cold efficiency.

Angel Rangel dawdled on the ball a fraction too long, gifting possession to Ryan Giggs, who cut inside to provide Javier Hernández with the most straightforward finish.

The satisfaction of contributing to a goal against Swansea must have been doubly satisfying for Giggs, a self-confessed supporter of their arch-enemies, Cardiff City.

Swansea appear to know one form of defence in such a situation: attack. Rodgers had pledged not to abandon his freewheeling style for United’s arrival, and while he tweaked his usual three-striker formation to leave Danny Graham alone up front, here was vivid evidence.

His side’s bursts up the pitch were gloriously unpredictable, led in large part by the elusive zephyr that is Nathan Dyer.

On more than one occasion the 23 year-old, who could challenge Theo Walcott over a 100-metre sprint, left Patrice Evra floundering in his contrails, even if his final ball was often wayward.

Wayne Routledge is also blessed with an alarming turn of speed, and when he laid off a superb pass into the path of an unmarked Sinclair it appeared all the striker could do not to score.

As it was, Sinclair tangled over his own feet and the chance abated - much to the evident disgust of his manager, Brendan Rodgers.

United, pinned back for long periods of the first half, were afforded a few moments to regroup. Giggs could not resist wresting a free-kick off Wayne Rooney in an attempt to heap further pain on Chelsea, but his effort flew comfortably wide.

A greater threat came from the interplay between Rooney and Hernández, which finally began to fire as half-time approached.

The Mexican pounced on another Swansea defensive lapse to surge clear on the right, although the cross to his strike partner went astray.

Rooney was the fulcrum of all United’s best play, returning the favour by slipping through Hernández, who had drifted offside. Rodgers sought to combat this relentless advance, bringing on Joe Allen - rested initially due to doubts over a calf strain - for Routledge to inject some extra dynamism.

But the plan faltered as United tightened the grip, restriciting Swansea to limited counter-punches. Dyer’s influence receded, even if the collective work ethic was laudable.

With a quarter of an hour remaining they besieged United’s box, drawing applause from their difficult-to-please manager.

Ferguson appeared on the touchline for the first time, mindful of the danger of a Swansea equaliser. Michael Carrick was controlling the midfield effectively enough, although Darren Fletcher was dispatched to give some added ballast.

He replaced Giggs, who, in light of his Cardiff connections, left the stage to a chorus of boos. Not that he would have minded one iota, such was the significance of this result for United.

For all the times that they snatch a win at the final whistle, they also execute performances like these, protecting a solitary goal with every last drop of resolve.

Their latest example kept the noisy neighbours across Manchester within sight. Just.